Archive for the ‘international’ Category

September 8, 2011 - 2:52 am Comments Off

Free for now will accept cash, or take away from the call for applications for licenses 4G. Wednesday, the Council of State rejected the application for an interim operator to obtain a spreading of the payment. The sages have ruled that Free was justified "or a breach sufficiently serious and immediate interests, or consequences that may affect sustainable competitive market structure that would be likely to constitute an emergency." In other words, not Free convinced that the call for candidates favored the larger operators, who have the means to immediately implement the fixed portion of the license.

Free for all is not over. The State Council will consider the application for annulment of the procedure "in the coming months." Meanwhile, the call for applications for these frequencies will take its course. And the timing is tight.The operators concerned must submit an application before September 15 for the 2.6 GHz band and before December 15 for the 800 MHz band, which relate to the state at least 2 low fee payday advance.5 billion euros and accelerate access mobile Internet. "We were as far as possible to encourage competition. But we also need strong operators, able to achieve very significant investment for years to come, "explained the Minister of Industry Éric Besson Le Figaro on Monday.

Two other cases against the call for applications for licenses 4G remain. Several unions require the licensing to be accompanied by a clause of "location of jobs in France." Bouygues Telecom, for its part, denies that the operators have to bear the costs associated with the 4G frequency interference by the signals of TNT."We assess that risk to less than 2% of homes," said Eric Besson minimized Monday in Le Figaro. In response, however, the government will establish "a single phone number with a small call center, so that individuals can report any such interference on their TV and get the linkage with the responsible operator."

Pflimlin "France Televisions needs stability"

September 4, 2011 - 4:00 am Comments Off

After one was missed, France Televisions has returned an offensive with hundreds of new programs. Taking risks assumed by Rémy Pflimlin, the CEO of the past year. It provides time to install new brands and develop its digital strategy.

The FIGARO. – What are your ambitions in terms of audiences for the group?

Remy PFLIMLIN. – The introduction of DTT has weakened the historic three channels and we have two. But France Television is not only judged on the hearings, as specified in the law. However, we must be the first French broadcasting group with our channel France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5 and France Ô. All must remain above the 30% audience share.

How do you explain the hearings erratic France 2?

For economic reasons, summer programs in France two were very different from those of the season. We have spent reruns and a program, "Five tourists" who have gone wrong. We dropped during the day and have paid cash. But with the return, the big appointment with Sophie Davant, Laurent and Stephane Bern Ruquier back.

France Televisions will invest 420 million euros in creation. Where do you get the money?

This amount represents an increase of twenty million euros a year. This is affordable in a cost grid for all channels 2 billion. To finance it, we will make arbitration on purchases and program flow.

You run one hundred new programs.Is it ambitious?

We offer 50 new programs on our five channels and 50 new regional programs of France 3. It is necessary to take risks because we absolutely need to innovate to install in the new period of strong brands as are a French village and more beautiful life.

Where's the advertising revenue?

We have budgeted 425 million euros in advertising revenue for the year 2011 against 440 million last year. In late August, we are still OK and I think we will hold the budget for the year.

You signed a contract with the State and sustain the revenue for five years. All can be challenged after the presidential elections?

We signed a contract objectives and resources with state ownership for five years on the basis of the strategic plan that we presented.For five years, the resources paid by the state are sustained and grow by 2 no teletrack payday loan.2% per year. In addition, our commercial revenues, advertising and diversification, we will be acquired. France Televisions thus acquires the necessary stability to build the company unique and long-term work with the world of creation. The company, the creators, the State and Parliament have an interest in maintaining that stability.

What is the social aspect?

We should sign in the coming days a collective agreement with the 2520 group of journalists and then we will negotiate the provisions concerning the technical and administrative staff, which represents 7,900 people. Over time, wages, hours and qualifications will be harmonized. This will have a cost but an investment that will pay off in productivity and simplified structure.In terms of attrition, which runs until 2012 and on 900 stations, we should see 550 starts, some of which permit and enable the recruitment of new skills including digital.

That represent the digital in five years?

The digital will be involved in the group. We will develop an information platform in November and another sports in spring 2012. Our role is to be an editor own content (information, drama, sport, culture …) that will become a commodity that we will provide all the screens. With the spread of television connected, it will be essential to have strong brands belong to us. Thus, we will not be dependent on American series to be broadcast directly by U.S. companies.

What is your position on the chains bonus?

On principle, I support the diversity of supply. On the economic front, although this is less about France Televisions, I note that many players call for a pause to allow to "digest" the introduction of DTT. With regard to the broadcast standard DVBT2, I have no principled position. But it is certainly worth, at this pivotal time, to ask any questions. For there is the issue of bonus channels, there are new channels announced, there is also the arrival of HD channels available. All this requires a resource that is often valuable, and called a real strategic choice. I look forward to the report of Michel Boyon.

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Irene: transportation disrupted on the U.S. East Coast

August 28, 2011 - 6:00 pm Comments Off

The people of the East Coast of the United States are preparing for a weekend out of the ordinary. In anticipation of Hurricane Irene, the authorities announced palsy or slowing of most means of transport that normally innervate New York Area. Once is not custom, the inhabitants of the Big Apple, including 250,000 living near the coast are being evacuated, will have to live in slow motion.

For security, the three New York airports – JFK, La Guardia and Newark – will be closed Saturday for aircraft arriving at noon (18 hours Paris time). The flights from these airports, however, may take off until further notice. This is an extraordinary disruption to an area that typically concentrates the air flow one of the densest in the world: each year, as many as 100 million passengers pass through this metropolis.This weekend, more than 8,000 flights should be canceled, according to the site FlightAware.com.

Like most of his counterparts, Air France announced Friday the cancellation of all flights to New York JFK on Saturday and Sunday, while disturbances are waiting on those provided to and from other cities the coast, like Washington, Philadelphia or Boston. The resumption of service, from Monday, could also be laborious and cause further disruption, have also warned the airlines.

Transport suspended

Measure more tangible for the people, public transport will be suspended in the Big Apple this Saturday from noon until probably Monday rush hour flexcheck cash advance. The subway, buses and railways do not circulate.Motorists have also been asked to leave their cars at home until the alert is lifted. If winds exceed this weekend 96 km / hour, the authorities of the State of New York have also warned they would close the main roads towards the city, and some bridges.

Given the restriction of transportation and possible damage caused by the passing of Irene, the inhabitants were ordered to stockpile water and food in preparation for the weekend. "Water is our product that sells best," noted the retailer Wal-Mart on Friday. Many are those who are armed with power generators in case of power failure.

To address these potential damages, the cost could rise to nearly $ 12 billion according to consulting firm Kinetic Analysis, U.S. authorities are preparing to deploy in new ways. 900 National Guardsmen and 2,500 workers in the electricity sector include ready to intervene in case of power failure. All these measures aim to avoid at all costs repeating a scenario to Katrina, the hurricane that was painfully struck New Orleans in 2005.

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The Japanese economy sends positive signals

August 15, 2011 - 12:00 pm Comments Off

Japan is recovering slowly from the disaster of 11 March. On Monday, the government announced a slowdown of 0.3% of GDP in the second quarter. But this decline, of 1.3% annualized, less than analysts' forecasts which projected a contraction of 0.7%. It also shows a marked improvement over the 0.9% decline the previous quarter cashed.

Between April and June, exports fell sharply by 4.9% and is the main factor in the decline. During this period, deliveries of goods have been hampered by the destruction of factories and infrastructure in the devastated areas of north-east of the archipelago. Breaks in the supply chain were found in the key sectors of the automobile and electronics exports pillars.Industrial activity has also been slowed by the nuclear accident in Fukushima that led to the arrest of a significant portion of the reactor pool and therefore a fall in electricity production.

The downward trend was further accentuated by a decline of 1.9% of private real estate investment and a 0.1% decline in consumption. The trauma of the disaster, which killed more than 20,000 dead or missing, has indeed led the Japanese citizens to exercise restraint for several weeks, slowing private consumption, which is usually an engine of growth online cash advance. This slowdown was partly offset by the increase of 3% of public investment.

"We will rebuild Japan"

To observers, this leaves the second quarter, however, consider a rapid improvement in the Japanese economy."If the economy is improving as it takes shape in some respects, it is possible that growth back at the period from July to September", commented Takeshi Minami, an economist at the Institute Norinchukin whose opinion joined the Minister of Finance, Yoshihiko Noda.

For his part, Prime Minister Naoto Kan took advantage of the sixty-sixth anniversary of the surrender of Japan to promise an improvement in the economy. "Our country has emerged from the ruins of war through the efforts of every citizen and overcame many difficulties to date. With these experiences, we will rebuild with determination and force the devastated areas and Japan. "

These remarks have convinced the Asian markets on Monday morning.At the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the Nikkei has closed the day on a sharp increase from 1.37% to 9086.41 points.

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Debt: Washington must quickly, according to Lagarde

July 27, 2011 - 2:20 am Comments Off

In the case of debt, time is a luxury that the United States as Europe can not afford. This is the message sent Tuesday by Christine Lagarde, director of the International Monetary Fund. Welcoming the plan against the crisis of the Greek debt presented Thursday by EU leaders, the French hoped "that these bold steps will be followed in the United States and that action in the fiscal area will occur as quickly as possible."

In Washington, "the clock is forever and you really find a solution," insisted Christine Lagarde. Democrats and Republicans can not agree on U.S. debt, then that must be addressed prior to August 2 the maximum amount that the state can borrow in the markets (the ceiling of the debt). Otherwise the U.S. will not reimburse investors.

"Having a default or a significant reduction in the rating assigned to the signing of the United States, an event would be very, very, very serious. Not for the U.S. only, but for the world economy in general, "said the leader of the IMF. In the longer term, the IMF has asked the United States Monday to hand over "the debt to a sustainable path." U.S. debt until recently was considered by investors as an investment "safe".

If it is proved otherwise, the consequences could be incalculable. The United States "can not default on their obligations," said John Boehner, a Republican official in Congress. "The jobs and savings of too many Americans (are) in."

Threat of 'turbulence'

Europe is no exception.After the summit on Thursday, the leaders of the euro area should continue their efforts, Christine Lagarde warned: "The plan was welcomed by financial markets, as evidenced by the stronger euro and lower spreads rates on bonds of the periphery. But the turmoil could easily reappear. For this reason it is essential that the commitments of the summit are implemented quickly. "

Problem: The plan must be submitted to national parliaments for approval. "This will be done in the coming weeks. This will not happen overnight because, as is often the case in many developed economies of the Northern Hemisphere, August is relatively calm. And parliaments are closed, "admitted the director of the IMF. But Europeans do not have the luxury of taking their time.I think there is an expectation that things should move forward and be implemented not only by the countries directly concerned but also by governments who, as I said, kept their promises. "

To help stem the debt crisis, the IMF disbursed $ 330 billion to date, also recalled Christine Lagarde. Given this fact, the IMF might have to seek new funds to its member countries, its director admitted: "In the not too distant future we will probably take an interest in this issue."

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Rating agencies decrypted

July 8, 2011 - 6:24 am Comments Off

• What are they? Rating agencies are tasked, in theory, to assess independently the risk of bankruptcy or non payment of an economic issuing debt securities such as bonds. Clearly, they inform investors of their risk if they lend themselves to such corporation or such State. They each have a rating scale ranging from AAA (triple A) to CCC.

The score is after work for analyzing economic and financial figures and results from a collective decision of the agency's analysts. This is an opinion, say the agencies, not a recommendation to buy or sell a security or a share of a company.

• The impact of the notes. Rating, reflecting the risk of bankruptcy of a company or a state, however, has taken a very important rated entities and investors.For states and businesses alike, a note degraded resulting in an increase in interest rates. So when they want to borrow, it costs more.

Investors should in turn may sell certain debt securities to meet internal and financial regulations. A portfolio manager consists of obligations and will maintain a balance between built-risky securities and less risky. If a portion of its securities, such as Greek bonds, for example, is degraded, it will have to part for not only its portfolio becomes too risky.

• Who owns the agency? Moody's is an American company listed and independently owned up to 13% by billionaire Warren Buffett. Fitch is majority owned by French financial company Fimalac, founded by Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere and 20% of the group Hearst.Standard & Poor's is owned by U.S. publisher McGraw-Hill Companies.

• Who pays? "Typically, a rating agency is paid by the entities who want to receive a note or those that use the note" on a subscription basis, says Standard & Poor's. 2009 according to the scale of the latter for the United States, a large company must pay at least $ 70,000 at the beginning of the rating process, then a subscription of "surveillance" amounting to about half the original amount cash advances pay day loan. Each time it will issue the debt markets, it will perform in addition to a commission of 0.045% of the transaction. The amounts are similar in Europe.

Today, about 90% of revenue comes from credit rating agencies rated entities, is Norbert Gaillard, in his book "The rating agencies' published in The Discovery.

• Conflicts of interest.The crisis "subprime" mortgages at risk, has highlighted the limitations of the current agencies. Paid by companies that want to be noted, agencies are sometimes tempted to assign a higher rating than actually deserved to win a contract to the detriment of its other two competitors.

A former analyst at Moody's, Mark Froeb, has launched scathing attacks against his former employer before the Commission of Inquiry on the financial crisis in the U.S. Senate. "When I left Moody's (2008, Ed), the worst fear of one analyst was not necessarily something that would jeopardize the market share of Moody's, to cause harm to its sales ( …) and losing his job accordingly, "he complained. However, an analyst should only concern "to contribute to a rating that would be false."

• Agencies very profitable.With the increasing complexity of financial markets, the agencies argue that it is becoming increasingly expensive to analyze the risk of failure of economic actors. Therefore, in the 70's, they began to charge companies to notaient.

This business model provides a very high cost to agencies. Moody's expects an operating margin (operating profit to net sales) of between 38% and 40% in 2011. Standard & Poor's 43% in the first quarter of 2011 alone and Fitch 58% for the year 2010/2011 shifted.

Retirement: the new rules quickly set

July 4, 2011 - 10:20 pm Comments Off

Once published Tuesday, the opinion of the Advisory Council pensions, the decree formalizing the transition to 41.5 years of contributions from the 1955 cohort could be taken quickly. CNAV request, to inform as soon as its nationals. The beneficiaries of the "long career" born in 1955 are, in fact, likely to retire on January 1.

The Ministry of Labour does not seem to see any objection, saying anyway have little choice: "The law is written Fillon very imperative low interest rate personal loans. Things mechanically apply, depending on life expectancy, "an official analysis.PS and unions denounced the prospect of a longer contribution period: CGT sees a decline in disguise of pensions, the CFDT talking about additional victims of the reform of 2010.

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Greece: The Cac 40 believes in good news

June 28, 2011 - 2:04 pm Comments Off

As the successor to Dominique Strauss-Kahn to head the International Monetary Fund could be announced this Tuesday – Christine Lagarde is the favorite – Greece has decided to strike until the vote of the austerity plan by the Greek Parliament should occur by Thursday. However, it seems, according to analysts that the markets are betting on good news. The euro area would have a backup in case of a negative vote.

So, in the wake of Wall Street Monday closed sharply higher, Bourse de Paris amplifies gains the previous day. The Cac 11 hours 40prend to 0.77% at 3825.83 points.

On the currency markets, the euro is stable against the dollar at 1.4279 dollar.For their part, oil prices rebounded in electronic trading in Asia Tuesday and remained under pressure, before the 48-hour strike in Greece to the appeal of unions to protest against austerity measures, analysts said . In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in August gained 36 cents to 90.97 dollars.That of Brent North Sea crude for August delivery was taking 25 cents 106.24 dollars.

Housing: housing starts and building permits up

On the macroeconomic front, the number of starts of new homes increased by 11.4,% year on year in France for the period from March to May, while the number of building permits for these homes has increased 4.3%, according to figures from the Ministry of Housing.

At 18 hours, will be published the figures for registered job seekers and offers collected by the job center in May.

In the U.S., the S & P / Case-Shiller of home prices in April (15 hours) and consumer confidence in June (16 hours) are also expected.

Carrefour jumps, Casino unscrews

Against a background of optimism about the outcome of the parliamentary debate on the budget austerity in Greece, the banking sector performs well: Crédit Agricole climbed 2.50% to 9.87 euros, Societe Generale is 1.54% to 38.25 euros, BNP Paribas rose 1.10% to 50.71 euros and Natixis gained 1.04% to 3.29 euros.

EADS: 0.09% to 22.07 euros

China could control dozens of Airbus during a visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao Tuesday in Berlin, said on Monday sources familiar with the matter credit report.

Carrefour: 1.97% to 26.86 euros; Casino: -3.58% to 64 euros

The distribution group received Monday a "proposal" to create Gama Brazilian joint venture equally owned by both groups in Brazil, the latter to eventually become a shareholder of Carrefour.Casino intends to disturb their alliance, saying the project "hostile", prepared in secret, but against which "has the power to oppose."

In addition, the rating agency Fitch has downgraded the French retailer Carrefour up a notch to BBB +, along with a negative outlook, expressing concern the pace of recovery activities and French pressure from shareholders, according to a statement Tuesday.

Thales: 0.46% to 28.52 euros

According to an internal study cited by the Tribune, the electronics group shows a drastic decrease of 13% of customer satisfaction since the arrival of the new direction. Some regret the centralization of applications and other lack of attention to their concerns.

Lagardère: 2.95% to 28.57 euros

Analysts at the Swiss bank UBS raised their recommendation on the title to "buy" against "neutral" before.

Trigano: -3.36% to 22.27 euros

The specialist for caravans and motorhomes has said it expects a sales growth and results in 2011, following growth of 8.2% of its business in the third quarter, which covers the period from March to May

Teleperformance: -4.49% to 19.90 euros

The global call center cut its operating margin target in 2011 because of the recent slowdown in its business in the United States.

BioAlliance Pharma: 2.33% to 6.15 euros

The biotechnology company said it had filed with the French Drug Agency an application for leave to Phase III clinical trial for Livatag, treatment of primary liver cancer.

CGG Veritas: 1.14% to 23.45 euros

The group signed with the oil services group Bourbon marine services to offshore oil and gas a charter contract for five years to six new vessels support and assistance to its seismic surveys.

Alstom takes 14 hours to its General Assembly on Tuesday.

Travel sncf.com widening the gap with the teller station

June 25, 2011 - 8:40 am Comments Off

With a business volume of 300 million euros, Travel sncf.com set a record last month. "We sold 150,000 tickets a rainy day, 200,000 on a good day," said Yves Tyrode, director general of the website, a subsidiary of SNCF, which claims more than 55 million train tickets sold last year and more than 11 million unique visitors each month. "Last year, 70% of Internet users have come at least once. We are the site of all the French! "

In fact, Voyages-SNCF. com is the leading French travel agency online. In 2010, the site has achieved 2.8 billion euros in sales volumes, driven by a 18% growth over 2009.

Year after year, Travel sncf.com widening the gap with so … the counters of the station. Last year, the site has achieved 36% of sales of train tickets. A record.For the record, this percentage was 27% in 2008, the share of branches reaching 28% at the time.

"We are pro in the distribution of tickets online and we want to be in Europe, says Barbara Dalibard. Online sales change over a double-digit growth. Customers come under the counter. "

2011, promising

The CEO of SNCF Voyages recently told a group of journalists that "currently, our sales come for more than a third of the Internet, 20% of travel agencies and the rest is done at the counters of our stores and" .

2011 promises to be a promising year for Travel sncf.com. "Even trend" in 2010, according to its CEO Yves Tyrode and "explosion" of sales from mobile phones and tablets (iPad).While these new devices sales still weigh little in the overall volume of activity in Travel sncf.com, but since January the sales they have generated has increased by 100% to 20 million euros. In May, mobiles and tablets as well have accounted for 10% of the audience of the site.

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Wall Street expected to open down

June 20, 2011 - 9:36 pm Comments Off

The U.S. stock markets, should re-open down on Monday. Future of Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 respectively retreating from 0.27% to 1260 points and 0.65% at 2181.25 points. Wall Street ended the session on a mixed note Friday. The Dow Jones gained 0.36% to 12004.36 points while the Nasdaq 100 lost 0.32% to 2192.96 points and the S & P 500 rose 0.89% to 1278.87 points.

Despite a new rescue plan for Greece launched last night by finance ministers in Europe, U.S. markets should still be concerned as their counterparts in Europe and especially Paris.

After the reassuring words of Heads of State French and German unit, which posted a welcome Friday, the firm tone adopted by the ministers at the weekend said that the issue will be very long to resolve.The central bankers in the eurozone have defined the conditions of payment of a further tranche of loans in July, but the finance ministers of the euro area indicate that the release of the loan must be accompanied by the vote of a new plan of austerity and privatization by the Greek Parliament. Banks and other private creditors and participate in this new plan. However the contours of that plan remains to be defined.

In the wake of renewed tensions, the euro falls against the dollar. 11:00 in Paris to the European single currency was worth 1.4232 dollars against 1.4301 dollars on Friday night. In addition, oil continues to fall sharply, quoting under $ 92 in New York.

On the macroeconomic front, the week promises to be charged. Members of the Monetary Policy Committee of the Fed will meet this week.The release will be issued Wednesday evening and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke will give a press conference after the meeting. Aurel BGC experts anticipate little change in the FOMC statement. They argue that the Fed chairman should emphasize the temporary nature of the slowdown and reject any idea of ​​a new program of quantitative easing. Other highlights of the week, investors will monitor the number of housing sales in the old tomorrow and in the nine Thursday. Then Friday, they will learn the durable goods orders. The latter will benefit from a rebound in transportation orders, thanks to Boeing.

All eyes will be turned to the Paris Air Show, which opens Monday.

Boeing launches new version of its popular 747 jetliner, highly anticipated.In an interview with Le Figaro, Jim Albaugh, CEO of Boeing Commercial Aviation believes "it takes 30% of the world to survive over time." This morning, the airline Qatar Airways has placed an order with Boeing for six long-haul 777-300 ER for $ 1.7 billion (list price).

NYSE Euronext said Monday in a statement the actual launch on July 11 of the first platform for bond trading companies in Europe, the project has given the green light of the Financial Markets Authority (AMF).

The side of values, General Electric has reached an agreement in principle of the two largest unions of the company for new contracts."The four-year contract will enable advances on wages, pensions and job security. "

For his part, PetSmart will turn its quarterly dividend to 0.14 dollar per share against dollar before 0125. The board also authorized a share buyback program of $ 450 million.